5 tips for making an effective presentation

July 2, 2013 12:01 AM

July 2, 2013 12:01 AM

Dallas-area business coach Holly St. John Peck gave the Dallas Morning News five tips for small-business owners on making an effective presentation.

1. Mind over matter. Most people falter in speaking because they're afraid, not because they lack competency. To ease your mind, breathe deeply three times, shake your hands wildly in the air to alleviate adrenaline and gain control of hand gestures, and lastly, reframe your self-talk to be positive.

2. Know your audience. Whether it's one person or 100, do a little research so your message is targeted and you feel confident with your content. What does the audience know or need to know? What's in it for them? What questions will they ask?

3. Prepare and practice. One benefit of electronic communication is that you have the opportunity to think about your message and review it before sending. Face-to-face conversations and presentations should be no different. Take that same approach to develop a presentation outline, along with simple and meaningful visual aids. Then practice, practice, practice.

4. Be authentic and likable. There's a saying, "Like the messenger, like the message." If you can get an audience to like you, you will have a much better chance of that audience being receptive to your message. Use humor (appropriately) and real-world examples that connect to your content. Smile and strive to be approachable, especially at the beginning and end of your presentation.

5. Convey the attitude of a leader -- even if you're not one just yet. Studies show that people who have good interpersonal and speaking skills are perceived to be good leaders with advancement potential.